Bottle filler



Jan. 31, 1928. A. J. DREES ET AL BOTTLE FILLER Z 1 w P w fim I l I 1 11| n i w 1 3 5% 5: H 3% 5 MN MN Filed April 28. 1926 Jan. 31, 1928.

A. J. DREES ET AL BOTTLE FILLER 4 Shegcs-Shee Filed April 28. 1926 W z ah Jan. 31, 1928.

A. J. DREES ET AL BOTTLE FILLER Filed April 28. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet S A.J. DREES ET AL Jan. 31, 1928.

B OTTLE FILLER Filed April 2a. 1926 Patented Jan. 31, 1928. r i r vT.at!as .P ATE'N carries.

ALBERT J.-DREES, HHRRYTB. -R'0CK, AND JAMES A. REEVES, 'OF 140s "MN GEEES, GA IJI- TOR-NBA, HSSIGNORSTO L. AuIGEANDCOIZD STORAGE COMPANY, OF LOSAANGEIJES, CALIFORNIA, AGORPORATION OF' DELA'W'ARE.

BOTTLE FILLER.

Appl'lcation filed.Apri1 28, 1926. Ser-iaLNoflOfiJlS.

. Our invention'is a bottle filler comprising bottles, runs lengthwiseof the machine con- -.a. machine to fill a plurality votibottles si-"siderably below the storage tank. Acplurmultaneously with asubstantially same and ality of ,individual wmeasuring vessels "are 55exaccamount of liquid. positioned in the framework, having'a pipe 5A-main object of omwinvention is the con leading into the bottom of suchvessels.

vstruction of. amachine which will fill a pluseries of pipes leaddownwardly from the i'ality of large bottles simultaneously with mainstorage-tank to-a series of valves, there "liquid,.thebottlesihaving asimilar capacity beingone valve for :each measuringvesseland 00 andbeing filled withsi'milar amounts, these in each valve a-iilling tubedepends "downamounts being substantially accurate for wardly,tlierebeing one filling tube foreach each bottle. bottle. The fillingtubes are flexibly con- Another objectof our invention is to pronestedto the valves "to allow slight adjustvideamachine whichmay be easilymanipment if the bottles are not positioned with ulated, beingcontrolled preferably by one the exact regularity.

operatornand filling the bottles in an eXpe- The valves are duplexvalves adated ditious manner. when in one positlon to flow water rom Afurther object of our invention. is to the main storage tank to themeasuring positiona bank ofbottles to be filled in a vessels andwhen-shifted intoanother =p'o- 70 row, in alinement with the machine andby sition 'to run the water by gravity out of means of a common rockshaft, raise and the measuring vessels into 'the bottles, the lowerbottle filling tubes, and by means of filling tubes in. the meantimehaving been a commonly operated ,power mechanism, lowered on the'neck ofthe bottles. The open a plurality of valves forcharging the fillingtubes are handled simultaneously hyfi variousbottleswith the requisiteamount of a rock shaft manually operated and a series Z5 liquid. 0tvalves areoperated by a seriescf cranks Another object of our inventionis to promounted on a common shaft, these cranks vide a main storagetank with a liquid and being shifted'by a single ,powerm'echanism aplurality of individual measuringvessels, manually controlled. Anadjustable vent so there being one of such vessels for each tube in eachmeasuring vessel allows acan bottle and the production of adjustablecurate adjustment of the quantity of i'vater mechanism by which asubstantially accu- .fed into each measuring, vessel and a disrateamount of liquid maybe measured to charge pipe is provided with aplurality ot. flow automatically into a measuring vessel aperaturesbelow the in let orificein order to 85 and't'rom the measuring vesselinto the disslow up the filling of the bottles wh'e'n'theytributing'bottles. Thus a more detailed obare nearly filled. I

jest of our invention is to how aliquid from Various structural detailswill appear ,a main storage tank into a plurality of from the followingdescription in connecaccurato measuring vessels, this being done 'tionwith the. drawings, in which, 00 through a serles of valves operated,simul- Figure l is a front elevation of our ma- 40 taneously and afterthe measuring vessels 'ihlne, illustratin'gthe bottles positioned to arefilled by further manipulation ()"l the 'be filled with the fillingtubes raised} valves, to charge thebottles used for dis- Fig. 2=is avertical cross section-of Fig. 1, tributing'the liquid after loweringthe. tillon the line 22 in the direction of the 'ar- 'ing tubes. v yrows. This figure indicates the measuring 45 .A detailed object of ourinvention is in vessels filled to the desired capacity as'the the.various structural elements which enter valves leading from the storage.tank are into the plant. being shut off and before the filling valves In1 our invention we utilize a suitable are opened; 4 framework with. alarge elongated storage Fig. 3 s a vertical section on the line no tankplaced above same, to which, water 3- 3 of Fig; 2,,i'nt1e directionoffers-ferrous, may supplied as required. A uitable showing a fillertube in longitudinal see track hating a conveyor er the like for tine";

Fig. l; is a vertical section on the line 4.-t of Figs. 2 and 5, in thedirection of the arrows,through a duplex valve;

Fig. is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig.

-'= l, in the direction of the arrows, being a section of the valve;

, Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line (5-6 of Fig. 2, of acompresset'l air control valve for regulating the operation of theduplex liquid valve;

Fig. 7 is a section of Fig. (3, on the line 77 in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 2, showing the duplex valves in theposition for filling the measuring vessels in the initial filling stageand with the filling tubes raised. each set'filling a bank of bottlesbefore such bottles have been moved out of the way;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. showing a duplex liquid valve in theposition for lling the measuring vessels;

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the air valve in the positionfor operating the air power mechanism to move and hold the duplex valvesin the position of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figs. :2 and 8, showing the filling tubeslowered on the bottles, the duplex valves in the position fordischarging water from the measuring vessels to the bottles, and the aircontrol valve and power cylinder operated thereby in the position formoving and holding the duplex valves in the discharging position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 9, with a duplex valve in thedischarging position;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 10, with the air control valvepositioned to pass the air into the power cylinder at the lower endthereof. to hold the duplex valve in the position of Fig. 12.

Our general plant is substantially as follows, having referenceparticularly to Fig. 1

A storage tank 1 is supported at any suitable elevation on cross-beamsthis tank having a supply pipe 3 from a much larger storage tank. Thetank also has an air vent 4. Such tank extends the full length of themachine to accommodate the bank of bottles to be filled.

A suitable conveyor 5 is positioned near the base of the machine and isadapted to convey a plurality of bottles 6 positioned closely adjacenteach other, such bottles being in substantial contact or being spaced bycrates if desired. The particular machine illustrated is for chargingfive gallon bottles with water.

A suitable framework is constructed with posts 7 built on a foundation 8and having longitudinal caps 9 with cross-bars 10 at suitable intervals.A series of measuring vessels 11 are suitably supported from thelongitudinal cross-bars or other suitable structure. A series of duplexwater valves 12 are positioned below the filling vessels to dischargewater through the filling tubes 13 into the bottles.

The detailed mechanism .l'or filling the measuring vessels issubstantially as tollows, having reference particularly to Figs. 2, s01- 11:

The measuring vessels 11 preferably have a cylindrical upper portion L1-and a tapered lower portion 15. '1 pipe 16 extends up wardly through thebottom of each of these vessels, having an open orifice 17 at the topand a plurality of apertures 18 some little distance below the orifice.A gauge glass 19 is provided for each measuring vessel. An adjustablecalibrating vent tube 20 of small bore fits through an adjustablepacking bu hing 21 in the top of the vessel and through an adjustablepacking gland into the top of the storage tank. The end 21- of such tubein the storage tank is designed to be always above the water level oisuch main tank and the end Q-El in the measuring vessel is designed tobe adjusted to extend slightly below the liquid level 25 in suchmeasuring vessels leaving a slight air space it; thereabove.

The flow of water is regulated from the main storage tank to theplurality of measuring vessels by means of duplex valves havingreference particularly to Figs. or 11, and 1. 5, 9 and 12. A series oidischarge pipes 27 lead downwardly from the storage tank 1 to the duplexvalves 12. Such valves have a substantially cylindrical body 28 closedat opposite ends by closure plugs 29 having wrench heads and sockets 30therein. A pair of valve seals 31 and 32 are suitably positioned in thevalve. dome 323 is formed on one side ol the valve preferably the baseand has a cross-rock shalt ll extending through the dome and journalcdin the structure thereof. This rock shaft is providci'l with a suitablepacl in; 3.7 to prevent leakage at one cud, and with a closure plug St;at the other; an operating arm 37 being mounted on the ex posed end olthe shaft. A. rocking linger 38 is rigidly attached to the rock shaft onthe inside of the dome, extending in ide the body of the valve.

A plurality of slidmvays it!) are provided in the body of the valve toaccommodate valve plungcrs. 40. these plungcrs having suitablereciprocating valves all on their end the valves being adapted to engagethe outside faces of the valve seats and are pressed inwardly bycompression springs 42 hearing in the sockets 30 of the plugs 29. Itwill be noted that the measuring vessel is attached to the upper side ofthe valve body substantially over the pipe 16 leading to ltlt)aminae-meant a discharge nipple t is ythe' iadial groove KS2 to" theport-'68,;pipe

"connected to the -lower*- part of thetodyat 254:, and'thelower 'e'nd'of the power cylinder the posite tothe inlet pipe 27. forcingthe-pistonupwardly and rocking the Re nag-particularl Figs. 5, 9,- anddnplexvalvefinger into the positionshoivn "l2,itfvvill he seen that thevalves are *duplex. "in Fig. 12, opening the discharge valve "l he endfat the inlet. pipe 27 may he desigand allowing the closure of thefilling valve hated ajs" thefilling valve, designated by the 44. Fromthe above descriio'tion, it will be hiimeralfl l and theend at'thenii'iplei as seen that the operation of the single air the dischargevalve. desighatedhy the -numvalve-and the single power cylinder con-'eralj4'5 'inth'a't the first-valve operates to trols the operation ofall the duplex liq-ind fill a measuring vessel and the latter valvevalves.

" todisehaitg'efr'om'said vcssel'intoa bottle. The constructionandoperation of the till 'fhedaplex valvestfreoperated by a power ing tubes13 is substantially-as 'tolloWsfhavmehl'fanism su stantiallyias follows,ing referenceparticularly toFigs. 1,2, 3, 8 reference"particularlytdFigs. .1, 2, 8 and andll. 115'anddetail-figiiresfi,17,TOandflB: Eachof these tubes has a tl'exi-bl'e -con- "sifigleQ-po'iver cylinder 46 "issivivglly nedtion 70' formed-preferably by section of"mounted'pi-efeirabi on one of the legs i to rubber hose vith thenipples &6,- and eon- Q allo'w slight swivelling action'and carries ane'cts tofan inner stationary pipe 71. An

area r ses-tine )iston 4? with a .iiistonrod onterslidin 3i 3e TZistelesco aicall nionnt a 1 e1 1 l .5

* J Stherein. "This/rod is -pivota'lly Connected "ed on the inner pipeso as to, slide freely toanaiin itl tlhelattr heing'connected to a"thereomthe st tionary pipe 72 having its "crank operating shaft "50extending longr discharge end 73 above'the lower end of the tudinail yof' the machine. A plurality of outer pipe. This onterpipe is providedwith breaks 51 are keyed on this crank shaft and a nozzle 74 adapted tofit in the neck of the connected by links 52 to the arms 37 oftliebottle and with a flangeTS-adapted to extend iduiplekvalves. overthe topof the "bottle, the flange having ends "0 "the power cylinder to an aircontrol rangenient to guide the noz zle into the botv ,jtrgited indetail in Figs.

Air]'ipes53 and fi ijlead from opposite a flared -skirt"76 to act "as acentering arvalve 55. This air control valve 551s illustles, on thelowering of the outer tubeas 6, 7. 10 and 13. The hereunder described.

valve body 56. is in the form ofa disc with a It will be understood thatthe bottles may cap. 57 preferably screw threaded thereon. not be spacedabsolutely accurately by the A rotatable valve56 has the stem 59jourconveying mechanism and therefore it :is

halted in the cap, thestem being ope'rated hy necessary tofprovide "the-flexi'hle connection 1 an operating handle 60. "An ai'ririlet pipe andthe guiding arrangement '76 so that which is connected to 'ny suitablesource if the bottles are slightly otf'centerinregard "62in the valve58, there being preferably a properlyguided imposition.

of compress d air leads to a radialgroove to the 'dnplefxvalvespthe"nozzles T4 will be suitable valve seat 63 on which; thedisc-like V The niechanisn for simultaneously rai s valvehe'ars in it's-rotation. A projecting ing and lowering theonterftnbesissuhstair u i. tit i i, f v V I finger 64'. operates-1n an arcuate socket *62) tiallv asfollows. having reterence particu- A. i. 'i .'4 z k f torestr ct therotary n tron ot the valve. larly toFigsxl. '2. 3. 8 and '11:

An arcuztte ,gioov'e*66 is "to'inied"concentric Each of the. outer tubesis provided with i T to tli'e'ifllet til iandcoiitinu'es partly arounda, collar "77 which is engaged by a vole: 78 1 0 the valve, I connectedto yoltearms 79. "lheee'arms are aligrooveand attachedto asiv'ivelifiand-the opposite part "The arrangement offthe radi i a H. h .H A. thearcuate groove 66 as such hat when the ofthe swivel is rigidly connectedto -a 'rock valvelis. in thepositionshoivn'finFig. T the shaft "81. Thisrockshatt has at one enda inlet is not'connectedivith either ofthe portscounter-Weight arm 82 connected "therewith 6701 68 connectedrespectively with the andaconnter weight'83. A segmentflt is pipes 53and 54 leading to the 'pon'cr cvlmounted in a"'fixedhositionatsomesuitable inder. When the'valve 'is turned in'the"popart'ot the'ma chine, preferably "at the ends sition-ofFig.10,-the-radial groove .62 is conasindicated in Fig. 1, and isprovidedwith nee-ted with'the power and with the pipe a'series of'notches' SEi, An operatinghandle 63leadingtotheiupwr end of the cylinder 86'having a spring actuated 'letent 6T 46, thereby driving "the pistondownwardlv adapted to engage the grooves 85 is rigidly and rocking thedu lex valve finger 38 to attached to the rockshatt 81 and may move openthe filling va ve 44. The discharge over the segment. The counter-Weightis through the pipe 54 leads through the ports designed to substantiallybalance the series 68 to the arcuate groove 66 and thence of yoke arms79 and the outer sliding tubes through the discharge port 69 leading tothe and the operating handle.

atmosphere. I The operation of the mechanism immedi- When the air valveis reversed into the poately above described is substantially as sitionof Fig. 13, the compressed air is lead follows: 7

lVhen the yoke arms are in their upper position and the operating handlein the upper position as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the outer tube israised above the bottles so that the bottles may be ted either to orfrom the machine underneath the skirts To. IVhen the yoke arms andoperating handle are lowered into the position of Fig. 11, the nozzle 74is fitted into the bottles and the machine is properly connected to tillthe bottles.

The general operation of the machine is substantially as follows:

It will be understood from the above de scription that by control of theduplex valves simultaneously water or other liquid. may be fed from themain storage tank to the measuring vessels. In orde to accurately gaugethe amount of liquid these vessels contain, the calibrating tube 20 maybe raised or lowered. lVhen it is lowered it increases the size of theair pocket 26 and may be positioned to stop the llow ol' filling liquidat any desired position. Therefore by properly adjusting the calibratingtube an accurate measuring of the liquid may be obtained. It is notnecessary that this tube be raised and lowered in the main tank 1, as aflexible tube may be utilized, it being essential however, that the tubemay readily be raised and lowered in each of the filling vessels.

In the general operation of the machine the duplex valve is preferablyoperated to fill the measuring vessels while the bottles are being fedto and centered in the machine, and before operating the air valve todischarge the measuring vessels the rock shaft is operated to lower thetelescopic outer tube of the tiller tube on to the bottles. Then bycontrol of the air valve the duplex liquid valve is reversed.

The liquid flows out quickly through the orifice 17 in the pipe 16 untilthe level of such orifice is reached and then more slowly through theapertures 18. These are positioned relatively so that as nearly tilledthe rate of filling is materially slowed up, hence preventing splashing.As soon as the bottles are filled and the sliding outer filling tuberaised the bank of bottles may be removed and the measuring vesselsagain filled, the above cycle of operations being repeated.

Our invention as above described has been indicated as being suitablefor filling water into large bottles in a quick operation.

the bottles are However, itwill be apparent that it ma; be utilized forother liquids and may b utilized to fill cans or the like.

The various structural. features and spe cific details may beconsiderably altered tr suit different circumstances. Such change:however, would be Within the spirit of our invention as set forth in thedescription, drawings and claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a bottle tiller, a measuring vessel having a pipe extendingupwardly through the lower end. the said vessel being tapered at thebottom, the pipe having a central orifice and a plurality of aperturespositioned below the orifice, and a calibrating lube adjustably mountedin the upper part of the measuring vessel.

2. A bottle filling machine comprisin in combination an overhead tank, aplum ity of measuring vessels tapered at theirlower ends and havingpipes each with an open orifice at the top and with aperturestherebelow, a plurality ot valves, each valve being connected to thetank and to the aim of a measuring vessel, a stationary filler tubedepending from each valve, each valve hav- 1 inga pair of slidable valveelements engaging seats, and means to actuate said valves and valveelements simultaneously to flow liquid from the tank to the vessels,shutting oil the filler tubes, and from the vessels a to the tillertubes, shutting off the tank.

In a bottle filler a measuring vessel tapered at its lower end, a pipeextending upwardly through the lower end, the pipe having a centralorifice plurality of apertures adjacent the bottom of the vessel. 1

at. In a bottle filler a measuring vessel having a pipe extendingupwardly through the lower end, the said vessel at the bottom, the pipehaving a central orifice and a plurality of apertures positioned belowthe orifice, a tank, means connecting the tank to the pipe to fill thevessel,

and the valve for controlling said means. and lot a calibrating tubeadjustably mounted in the upper end of the vessel and the upper part ofthe tank.

In testimony whereot we have signed our names to this specification.

ALBERT .l. llliEl'IS.

at the top, and a a:

being tapered in

